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Replying To ElGranSenor: "This is not an underage problem per se but another massive issue for Dublin clubs IMO is the lack of pitches relative to the playing population
I think Cuala for example have to play all their home senior league games in Bray, they have to pay a good bit in rent to Bray or so is my understanding
Then you have the likes of Templeogue Synge Street and Faughs training and having some underage or lower grade matches in Bushy Park, think Kilmacud have a load of pitches in different places
Must be an absolute mess to organise" Yep its a huge headache to deal with the playing numbers. A huge amount of training and matches happen in council ran pitches also which means once there's a bit of rain then there is a blanket cancellation of matches and teaining across the board.
Ranelagh Gaels are a great example, no pitch at all and often play up past the airport or on astro in Donneybrook stadium. I know when we go down the country the Dubs can't believe the facilities. McCauley park in Enniscorthy is unreal like.
I think a lot of the problems here are opposite to down the country.
Not really a hurling culture here to be honest but it has a few pockets and is growing. At the moment about 70% of players leave the sport by about the age of 17 and on any underage team you'd have about 3 quality players from.what I've seen. Like I mentioned the sheer weight of numbers will mean the intercounty scene will always have a good stream of players coming through and that'll keep Dublin ahead of us IMHO.
I go to a lot of the club games and try get home too, I don't think the bulk of the championship teams here are any better than at home. The top teams here a different story, the likes of Na Fianna and Crokes at times are stocked with intercounty experience but then the Martins beat Na Fianna last year so you'd put St Martins up there with them but wouldnt say any other Wexford club would be close at the moment.
WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 531 - 12/08/2026 11:11:12
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Replying To WEXILE: "Yep its a huge headache to deal with the playing numbers. A huge amount of training and matches happen in council ran pitches also which means once there's a bit of rain then there is a blanket cancellation of matches and teaining across the board.
Ranelagh Gaels are a great example, no pitch at all and often play up past the airport or on astro in Donneybrook stadium. I know when we go down the country the Dubs can't believe the facilities. McCauley park in Enniscorthy is unreal like.
I think a lot of the problems here are opposite to down the country.
Not really a hurling culture here to be honest but it has a few pockets and is growing. At the moment about 70% of players leave the sport by about the age of 17 and on any underage team you'd have about 3 quality players from.what I've seen. Like I mentioned the sheer weight of numbers will mean the intercounty scene will always have a good stream of players coming through and that'll keep Dublin ahead of us IMHO.
I go to a lot of the club games and try get home too, I don't think the bulk of the championship teams here are any better than at home. The top teams here a different story, the likes of Na Fianna and Crokes at times are stocked with intercounty experience but then the Martins beat Na Fianna last year so you'd put St Martins up there with them but wouldnt say any other Wexford club would be close at the moment." Rathnure put it up to Martins in the County final in fairness
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20551 - 12/08/2026 12:00:26
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Replying To Viking66: "Rathnure put it up to Martins in the County final in fairness" They did but couldn't see em put it up to Kilmacud Crokes or Na Fianna was my original point, I could see the Martins do it with their full roster
WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 531 - 12/08/2026 13:46:57
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Replying To WEXILE: "They did but couldn't see em put it up to Kilmacud Crokes or Na Fianna was my original point, I could see the Martins do it with their full roster" They didnt just put it up to na Fianna they beat them?
Last year maybe wouldve been too soon for Rathnure, but if they stay improving individually and stay in the country they could get there too.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20551 - 12/08/2026 16:45:58
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Senior football double header in Pats Pk on Sunday. Mickey must have had enough of games being separated.
countyman2022 (Wexford) - Posts: 1082 - 13/08/2026 09:00:52
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Replying To countyman2022: "Senior football double header in Pats Pk on Sunday. Mickey must have had enough of games being separated." Noticed that. Presume the arrangement is back in place with the Showgrounds committee to allow traffic exit the other way. Can't see how they could stage a double-header otherwise.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3913 - 13/08/2026 12:47:22
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Noticed that. Presume the arrangement is back in place with the Showgrounds committee to allow traffic exit the other way. Can't see how they could stage a double-header otherwise." Only issue now is that whoever is playing second game will be warming up in a field full of cars. They wont let a warm up happen inside.
countyman2022 (Wexford) - Posts: 1082 - 13/08/2026 14:07:14
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Group A
Martins and Shels guaranteed to finish 1st / 2nd regardless of weekend results. It's a 3 way scrap then for the other automatic qualifying position.
St Annes V Harriers
One of the clashes of the weekend - St Annes need this win more than Harriers. Things haven't seem to click for them yet under Tom Mullalley. When their long range shooting works they are a very good team as they showed in first half of ACHL final. However when the shooting goes wayward, like it has in quite a few of their championship games, then they are very mediocre. Harriers are again too reliant on Chin - Doing okay but i see Annes winning this one and Harriers finishing 4th.
St Martins V Gorey
Gorey have yet to find any sort of consistency and have struggled in the first 4 rounds. That said they have serious players - In reality if they don't automatically qualify in top 4 they are looking at a potential Q/F against top of Group B which is Rathnure. St Martins just going through the motions and have yet to be tested. I think Gorey have more to play for here but still lacking the defence needed to beat St Martins.
Shels V Fethard
A dead rubber in reality with Fethard already in relegation final and Shels already through. Hard to know will either team go at it. Shels to sail through though.
Group B
Rathnure through already as group winners - it's a scrap for the rest of the places with any team capable of still qualifying.
Rathnure V Ferns
This game is a non event for Rathnure but a huge game for Ferns. A win for Rathnure and Ferns will be relying on Glynn saving them for Relegation final. Ferns have been lacking consistency and Rathnure haven't been firing on all cylinders either as well has having a significant injury list. I am going to give it to Rathnure by a few points due to the quality of their forwards.
Rapps V Oylegate
In reality this game is who will automatically qualify and who will go in the preliminary. Kevin Foley has kept the Rapps ticking along as they try and introduce some new and younger faces. The Peppers are also doing well. Liam Ryan struggling with injury and is a huge loss. Oylegate are very reliant on the Recks and Seamus Casey from frees - that said I think they have the quality and fire power to see themselves over the line here.
Glynn V Oulart
Glynn have been puffing along and doing pretty well since their first round near revival against Rathnure. Very frustrating to watch as on their day they have some superb players but inconsistency seems to kill them. That said Oulart are really struggling and if Simon Roche is kept quiet they are lacking any real quality especially against Glynn's decent defence. I see a win here for Glynn to put Oulart into the relegation final.
MyOhMi (Wexford) - Posts: 363 - 18/08/2026 09:35:20
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Might make it to a few live games this weekend.
Shels Fethard: Shels at a canter have Sean Keane Carroll back which strengthens them further could go all the way to a final
Annes Harriers: Harriers looked very vulnerable at the back the last day while Annes will steadily improve. Annes by 2
Gorey Martins: Gorey haven't clicked yet and don't think they have enough to beat St martins even if they do. Martins by 4
Glynn Oulart: Glynn have improved but think Oulart need is greater and top them by 3 points
Ferns Rathnure: Hard to know how Rathnure approach this Ferns will need the win badly give them a nod by 2
Rapps Oylegate: Derby game and think the Rapps have blooded some young players and are doing well. Think they'll win by 2
WexMurph (Wexford) - Posts: 364 - 19/08/2026 18:46:48
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A good episode of the Wexford Hurling Podcast out today, about the Round 5 matches. Worth listening to it.
The piece on the Wexford GAA website about all the permutations is worth a look too. Crazy to think that one of the Intermediate Groups could end with five teams level on points!
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3913 - 19/08/2026 22:35:57
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Replying To MyOhMi: "Group A
Martins and Shels guaranteed to finish 1st / 2nd regardless of weekend results. It's a 3 way scrap then for the other automatic qualifying position.
St Annes V Harriers
One of the clashes of the weekend - St Annes need this win more than Harriers. Things haven't seem to click for them yet under Tom Mullalley. When their long range shooting works they are a very good team as they showed in first half of ACHL final. However when the shooting goes wayward, like it has in quite a few of their championship games, then they are very mediocre. Harriers are again too reliant on Chin - Doing okay but i see Annes winning this one and Harriers finishing 4th.
St Martins V Gorey
Gorey have yet to find any sort of consistency and have struggled in the first 4 rounds. That said they have serious players - In reality if they don't automatically qualify in top 4 they are looking at a potential Q/F against top of Group B which is Rathnure. St Martins just going through the motions and have yet to be tested. I think Gorey have more to play for here but still lacking the defence needed to beat St Martins.
Shels V Fethard
A dead rubber in reality with Fethard already in relegation final and Shels already through. Hard to know will either team go at it. Shels to sail through though.
Group B
Rathnure through already as group winners - it's a scrap for the rest of the places with any team capable of still qualifying.
Rathnure V Ferns
This game is a non event for Rathnure but a huge game for Ferns. A win for Rathnure and Ferns will be relying on Glynn saving them for Relegation final. Ferns have been lacking consistency and Rathnure haven't been firing on all cylinders either as well has having a significant injury list. I am going to give it to Rathnure by a few points due to the quality of their forwards.
Rapps V Oylegate
In reality this game is who will automatically qualify and who will go in the preliminary. Kevin Foley has kept the Rapps ticking along as they try and introduce some new and younger faces. The Peppers are also doing well. Liam Ryan struggling with injury and is a huge loss. Oylegate are very reliant on the Recks and Seamus Casey from frees - that said I think they have the quality and fire power to see themselves over the line here.
Glynn V Oulart
Glynn have been puffing along and doing pretty well since their first round near revival against Rathnure. Very frustrating to watch as on their day they have some superb players but inconsistency seems to kill them. That said Oulart are really struggling and if Simon Roche is kept quiet they are lacking any real quality especially against Glynn's decent defence. I see a win here for Glynn to put Oulart into the relegation final." Finally at the business end of the championship and only Rathnure and St Mogues guaranteed to stay in same position regardless of results. Shels and St Martins guaranteed to be either 1st or 2nd in their group. Every other position is up for grabs.
New championship format means Top three in each group qualify for quarter-finals, 4th plays 5th in preliminary quarter-finals, Teams finishing in 6th place go directly to a Relegation Final.
In the quarter-finals, group winners play one of the winners of the preliminary quarter-finals (repeat pairings to be avoided where possible). Runner-up in Group A plays 3rd in Group B, and runner-up in Group B plays 3rd in Group A.
There is also a mini league situation if 3 or more teams end up on the same amount of points. In this case its decided first by points from the games between the three teams, then by scoring difference in those games. In the case with Group A St Anne's will need to win by 3 points or more to get 3rd place if Naomh Eanna also loses.
Group A
Current League standings
Pts+/- Pts
1 St Martin's. +33 7
2 Shels +10 7
3 Harrier +2. 4
4 Naomh Eanna +3 4
5 St Anne's -9 2
6 St Mogue's. -39 0
Permutations
Win. Draw. Loss
St Martins. 1st-2nd 1st-2nd. 1st-2nd
Shels. 1st-2nd. 1st-2nd. 2nd
Harriers. 3rd. 3rd-4th. 3rd-5th
Naomh Eanna. 3rd-4th. 3rd-4th. 4th-5th
St Anne's. 3rd-4th. 5th. 5th
St Mogues. 6th. 6th. 6th
My predictions for the weekend are
Martins beat Naomh Eanna by 5
Shels beat St Mogues by 9
St Anne's beat Faythe Harriers by 3
This would leave final league standings as
Pts+/- Pts
1 St Martins +38. 9
2 Shels. +19. 9
3 St Anne's. -6. 4
4 Harriers. -1. 4
5 Naomh Eanna. -2. 4
6 St Mogues. -48. 0
We wanted a championship with jeopardy and we have it with group B where depending on results and score difference any team from 2nd to 6th could end up in relegation. Think there will be one upset over the weekend and think it will be Oulart beating Glynn
Current League standings
Pts+/- Pts
Rathnure +20 8 pts
Glynn. +2. 4pts
Oylgate. -5 4pts
Rapps -2 3pts
Ferns -3 3pts
Oulart -12. 2 pts
Permutations
Win. Draw. Loss
Rathnure. 1st. 1st. 1st
Glynn. 2nd-4th. 3rd-4th. 5th-6th
Oylgate. 2nd-4th. 2nd-5th. 5th-6th
Rapps. 2nd-3rd. 3rd-5th. 5th-6th
Ferns. 2nd-4th. 3rd-5th. 5th-6th
Oulart 3rd-5th. 5th-6th. 6th
My predictions for the weekend is
Rathnure beat Ferns by 7
Oulart beat Glynn by 4
Rapps draw with Oylgate
This would leave table as
1 Rathnure 10 points. +27
2 Oylgate 5 points. -5
3 Rapps 4 points. -2
4 Oulart 4 points. -8
5 Glynn 4 points. -2
6 Ferns 3 points. -10
camánouttathat (Wexford) - Posts: 104 - 19/08/2026 23:42:12
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Replying To camánouttathat: " Replying To MyOhMi: "<b>Group A</b>
Martins and Shels guaranteed to finish 1st / 2nd regardless of weekend results. It's a 3 way scrap then for the other automatic qualifying position.
St Annes V Harriers
One of the clashes of the weekend - St Annes need this win more than Harriers. Things haven't seem to click for them yet under Tom Mullalley. When their long range shooting works they are a very good team as they showed in first half of ACHL final. However when the shooting goes wayward, like it has in quite a few of their championship games, then they are very mediocre. Harriers are again too reliant on Chin - Doing okay but i see Annes winning this one and Harriers finishing 4th.
St Martins V Gorey
Gorey have yet to find any sort of consistency and have struggled in the first 4 rounds. That said they have serious players - In reality if they don't automatically qualify in top 4 they are looking at a potential Q/F against top of Group B which is Rathnure. St Martins just going through the motions and have yet to be tested. I think Gorey have more to play for here but still lacking the defence needed to beat St Martins.
Shels V Fethard
A dead rubber in reality with Fethard already in relegation final and Shels already through. Hard to know will either team go at it. Shels to sail through though.
<b>Group B</b>
Rathnure through already as group winners - it's a scrap for the rest of the places with any team capable of still qualifying.
Rathnure V Ferns
This game is a non event for Rathnure but a huge game for Ferns. A win for Rathnure and Ferns will be relying on Glynn saving them for Relegation final. Ferns have been lacking consistency and Rathnure haven't been firing on all cylinders either as well has having a significant injury list. I am going to give it to Rathnure by a few points due to the quality of their forwards.
Rapps V Oylegate
In reality this game is who will automatically qualify and who will go in the preliminary. Kevin Foley has kept the Rapps ticking along as they try and introduce some new and younger faces. The Peppers are also doing well. Liam Ryan struggling with injury and is a huge loss. Oylegate are very reliant on the Recks and Seamus Casey from frees - that said I think they have the quality and fire power to see themselves over the line here.
Glynn V Oulart
Glynn have been puffing along and doing pretty well since their first round near revival against Rathnure. Very frustrating to watch as on their day they have some superb players but inconsistency seems to kill them. That said Oulart are really struggling and if Simon Roche is kept quiet they are lacking any real quality especially against Glynn's decent defence. I see a win here for Glynn to put Oulart into the relegation final."</div>Finally at the business end of the championship and only Rathnure and St Mogues guaranteed to stay in same position regardless of results. Shels and St Martins guaranteed to be either 1st or 2nd in their group. Every other position is up for grabs.
New championship format means Top three in each group qualify for quarter-finals, 4th plays 5th in preliminary quarter-finals, Teams finishing in 6th place go directly to a Relegation Final.
In the quarter-finals, group winners play one of the winners of the preliminary quarter-finals (repeat pairings to be avoided where possible). Runner-up in Group A plays 3rd in Group B, and runner-up in Group B plays 3rd in Group A.
There is also a mini league situation if 3 or more teams end up on the same amount of points. In this case its decided first by points from the games between the three teams, then by scoring difference in those games. In the case with Group A St Anne's will need to win by 3 points or more to get 3rd place if Naomh Eanna also loses.
Group A
Current League standings
Pts+/- Pts
1 St Martin's. +33 7
2 Shels +10 7
3 Harrier +2. 4
4 Naomh Eanna +3 4
5 St Anne's -9 2
6 St Mogue's. -39 0
Permutations
Win. Draw. Loss
St Martins. 1st-2nd 1st-2nd. 1st-2nd
Shels. 1st-2nd. 1st-2nd. 2nd
Harriers. 3rd. 3rd-4th. 3rd-5th
Naomh Eanna. 3rd-4th. 3rd-4th. 4th-5th
St Anne's. 3rd-4th. 5th. 5th
St Mogues. 6th. 6th. 6th
My predictions for the weekend are
Martins beat Naomh Eanna by 5
Shels beat St Mogues by 9
St Anne's beat Faythe Harriers by 3
This would leave final league standings as
Pts+/- Pts
1 St Martins +38. 9
2 Shels. +19. 9
3 St Anne's. -6. 4
4 Harriers. -1. 4
5 Naomh Eanna. -2. 4
6 St Mogues. -48. 0
We wanted a championship with jeopardy and we have it with group B where depending on results and score difference any team from 2nd to 6th could end up in relegation. Think there will be one upset over the weekend and think it will be Oulart beating Glynn
Current League standings
Pts+/- Pts
Rathnure +20 8 pts
Glynn. +2. 4pts
Oylgate. -5 4pts
Rapps -2 3pts
Ferns -3 3pts
Oulart -12. 2 pts
Permutations
Win. Draw. Loss
Rathnure. 1st. 1st. 1st
Glynn. 2nd-4th. 3rd-4th. 5th-6th
Oylgate. 2nd-4th. 2nd-5th. 5th-6th
Rapps. 2nd-3rd. 3rd-5th. 5th-6th
Ferns. 2nd-4th. 3rd-5th. 5th-6th
Oulart 3rd-5th. 5th-6th. 6th
My predictions for the weekend is
Rathnure beat Ferns by 7
Oulart beat Glynn by 4
Rapps draw with Oylgate
This would leave table as
1 Rathnure 10 points. +27
2 Oylgate 5 points. -5
3 Rapps 4 points. -2
4 Oulart 4 points. -8
5 Glynn 4 points. -2
6 Ferns 3 points. -10" Would it really be an upset if Oulart beat Barntown? Id have Barntown as slight favourites ok, but wouldn't be shocked if they lost either.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20551 - 20/08/2026 10:41:43
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If the preliminary 1/4 finals were taken out we would certainly have a weekend of jeopardy.
There's still that little bit of get out of jail card .
If there is ever a time to debate it its now when we can actually see what the permutations could be .
Instead we ll have near a month's break before the real championship begins .Will be a different game by the time the championship gets going properly I d imagine .
Regardless I think the best decision ever is to have free weekend for EP to let the lads have a blow out any chap that wants to go is so looking forward to it the rest tcan take the weekend off . And no manager should stop them . Maybe one or 2 football clubs that are nt qualified yet might beg to differ possinbly . But hey they have a week to get over it .
And then a little time to recover and refocus for knock out hurling . .
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 678 - 20/08/2026 10:51:01
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Formertownie yes any manager who would deny any player a weekend of Electric Picnic needs to have a serious look at himself, not the player.
I once heard a player say to a manager "how much are you being paid to come here and tell me I shouldn't go to Electric Picnic? If you care so much, you do it for free and then you can talk to me about commitment".
I believe only 4 should come out of the groups. Like the AFL style, 1st (Group A) v 2nd (Group B) and vice versa. 3rd v 4th random draw. Winner of 1st v 2nd has a bye weekend, loser plays winner of 3rd v 4th.
Team in 5th is out. Bottom team in relegation final.
StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 2165 - 20/08/2026 11:37:45
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Replying To Formertownie: "If the preliminary 1/4 finals were taken out we would certainly have a weekend of jeopardy.
There's still that little bit of get out of jail card .
If there is ever a time to debate it its now when we can actually see what the permutations could be .
Instead we ll have near a month's break before the real championship begins .Will be a different game by the time the championship gets going properly I d imagine .
Regardless I think the best decision ever is to have free weekend for EP to let the lads have a blow out any chap that wants to go is so looking forward to it the rest tcan take the weekend off . And no manager should stop them . Maybe one or 2 football clubs that are nt qualified yet might beg to differ possinbly . But hey they have a week to get over it .
And then a little time to recover and refocus for knock out hurling . ." Thing is, a cold hard fact about the free weekend for Electric Picnic is that for as long as we have the extra round in hurling, it's only possible if our county teams go out of their championships early enough to start the club championships at the end of June.
Whether they realise it or not, anybody saying "there should be a free weekend for Electric Picnic" is also saying "I hope our county teams don't go too far".
For instance, if our hurlers had come third in Leinster, they'd have been playing an All-Ireland quarter-final on the weekend of June 20/21. If our footballers had beaten Offaly in their Tailteann quarter-final, they'd have been playing their semi-final on the same weekend. In either of those circumstances, club championships wouldn't have started until first weekend of July rather than last weekend of June, and there'd have been no scope for a free weekend.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3913 - 20/08/2026 12:45:36
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Thats true pikeman but I dont think anyone on here would want wexford to go out early in hurling anyway . Could nt say the same for the club player though sitting waiting trying to stay in good shape not knowing exactly when it will start . .
Sas some on here would rather no football at all tbh .
I m sure things could be tweaked if they really wanted to though .
Imagine the hurling champ being held up for 2nd tier football comp .
Although look at How wicklow celebrated it and rightly so .
Was there not a contingency in place that if wexford had ve got to tailteann final .
Where the club championship would be scaled back anyway without sny input ftom clubs . Cant remember it exactly but there was such a scenario in place .
. To ensure participation in leinster club championship agian only a minority .
Again the club player does nt gsvs much say but its the bedrock of the gaa .
Ignore them at our peril . I m sure lads would rather play fri sat one week and wed Thurs following week before Ep than miss it .
Theres always a way . .
But if u dont agree with the EP break then theres not .
Junior downwards could rumble on if too many midweek fixtures befire ep as no leinster after top 3 tiers
Formertownie (Wexford) - Posts: 678 - 20/08/2026 13:50:39
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Thing is, a cold hard fact about the free weekend for Electric Picnic is that for as long as we have the extra round in hurling, it's only possible if our county teams go out of their championships early enough to start the club championships at the end of June.
Whether they realise it or not, anybody saying "there should be a free weekend for Electric Picnic" is also saying "I hope our county teams don't go too far".
For instance, if our hurlers had come third in Leinster, they'd have been playing an All-Ireland quarter-final on the weekend of June 20/21. If our footballers had beaten Offaly in their Tailteann quarter-final, they'd have been playing their semi-final on the same weekend. In either of those circumstances, club championships wouldn't have started until first weekend of July rather than last weekend of June, and there'd have been no scope for a free weekend." Disagree for a change. Im someone who feels the weekend should be off, younger players have to get something back too.
I dont want our intercounty teams to fail, I want them to succeed, and then also we might finally get rid of the ridiculous largely no jeopardy format we have had the last good while for our club championships except for the covid years ;-)
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20551 - 20/08/2026 14:30:23
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Replying To StoreysTash: "Formertownie yes any manager who would deny any player a weekend of Electric Picnic needs to have a serious look at himself, not the player.
I once heard a player say to a manager "how much are you being paid to come here and tell me I shouldn't go to Electric Picnic? If you care so much, you do it for free and then you can talk to me about commitment".
I believe only 4 should come out of the groups. Like the AFL style, 1st (Group A) v 2nd (Group B) and vice versa. 3rd v 4th random draw. Winner of 1st v 2nd has a bye weekend, loser plays winner of 3rd v 4th.
Team in 5th is out. Bottom team in relegation final." Just on your suggestion re. the playoff structure - it's similar to what applies in our U16 & U18 championships, and I actually like it. Tangible reward for coming first or second is a chance to go straight to a semi-final if you win your first playoff match, or get a second chance at it if you lose that first game.
A minor issue is what to call this first round of playoffs. They're not preliminary quarter-finals because two of the winners go straight to semi-finals. But nor are they quarter-finals because the other two winners only go to quarter-finals afterwards. In the underage championships, they call them "placement games", or simply "Round 4" (would be "Round 6" in this case).
Another issue stems from how if you did this, you'd still need the extra week for play-offs. They'd go "placement games", then quarter-finals, then, semi-finals, and then finals.
Which means that if you wanted to do this and still wanted a free weekend for EP, you'd be back to hoping the county teams didn't go too far in their own championships! ;)
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3913 - 20/08/2026 15:10:46
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Just on your suggestion re. the playoff structure - it's similar to what applies in our U16 & U18 championships, and I actually like it. Tangible reward for coming first or second is a chance to go straight to a semi-final if you win your first playoff match, or get a second chance at it if you lose that first game.
A minor issue is what to call this first round of playoffs. They're not preliminary quarter-finals because two of the winners go straight to semi-finals. But nor are they quarter-finals because the other two winners only go to quarter-finals afterwards. In the underage championships, they call them "placement games", or simply "Round 4" (would be "Round 6" in this case).
Another issue stems from how if you did this, you'd still need the extra week for play-offs. They'd go "placement games", then quarter-finals, then, semi-finals, and then finals.
Which means that if you wanted to do this and still wanted a free weekend for EP, you'd be back to hoping the county teams didn't go too far in their own championships! ;)" That format is 16s only.
Trump2 (Wexford) - Posts: 17 - 20/08/2026 15:42:14
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Replying To Formertownie: "Thats true pikeman but I dont think anyone on here would want wexford to go out early in hurling anyway . Could nt say the same for the club player though sitting waiting trying to stay in good shape not knowing exactly when it will start . .
Sas some on here would rather no football at all tbh .
I m sure things could be tweaked if they really wanted to though .
Imagine the hurling champ being held up for 2nd tier football comp .
Although look at How wicklow celebrated it and rightly so .
Was there not a contingency in place that if wexford had ve got to tailteann final .
Where the club championship would be scaled back anyway without sny input ftom clubs . Cant remember it exactly but there was such a scenario in place .
. To ensure participation in leinster club championship agian only a minority .
Again the club player does nt gsvs much say but its the bedrock of the gaa .
Ignore them at our peril . I m sure lads would rather play fri sat one week and wed Thurs following week before Ep than miss it .
Theres always a way . .
But if u dont agree with the EP break then theres not .
Junior downwards could rumble on if too many midweek fixtures befire ep as no leinster after top 3 tiers" It's not that I disagree with the free weekend for EP. I was just pointing out that it can only happen under certain conditions, and they're unfortunate conditions for our county teams.
As regards contingency plans, I've looked back on all that was agreed, and there were plans to cover every eventuality:
Hurlers reach but lose AI q/final on June 20/21 and/or footballers reach but lose Tailteann semi on same weekend:
As above. We'd have run things exactly same way as now but would have started a week later, with no free weekend.
Hurlers reach but lose AI semi-final, and/or footballers reach Tailteann Final:
We'd have continued with groups of six, but with top two in each group going straight to semi-finals, and bottom two playing relegation. Third, fourth and fifth would be out after the group. No free weekend.
Hurlers reach AI Final (unfortunately unlikely, but was planned for anyway):
Groups would have been out the window in both hurling and football, and we'd have moved to what was basically a "knockout with a second chance" structure. Would only have taken six weeks in each code (i.e. 12 total), instead of a total of 17. No free weekend.
By the way, I agree that on the face of it, might seem odd that a second tier inter-county football championship could hold up your premier club hurling championship, but consider that many of our county footballers also play hurling with their club's first teams.
Asking those clubs to start their hurling championships without those players would be fundamentally unfair.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3913 - 20/08/2026 15:58:36
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